Electric shock risk if power adaptors do not meet Australian safety standards Check for compliance symbol, insulated pins and no exposed metal when in use Buy from reputable retailers and be cautious about overseas or online sales A rise in electric shock reports has prompted a warning from WA’s energy safety regulator about dangerous travel adaptors that are not approved for use in Australia...

Rising rents and a lack of available homes have prompted many Western Australians to seek out share houses as a way of keeping a roof over their heads at a price they can afford. Before taking on a housemate, or becoming one yourself, it’s crucial that everyone understands the arrangement they have agreed to, as the law applies differently to boarders and lodgers than it does to co-tenants or sub...

Failure to fix defective swimming pool plasterwork $3,750 fine for not complying with a building remedy order Home owners previously received $19,000 compensation payment An Armadale swimming pool renovator will pay more than $4,000 in fines and costs after ignoring an official order to rectify work at a Roleystone property. In Armadale Magistrates Court on 13 June 2023, Steven Edward Eatwell of...

Factory Direct WA customers paid $342,264 but most received nothing Contracts entered into go as far back as October 2021 with no work completed 60 complaints from WA consumers so far Consumer Protection has raised the alarm over a business that supplies and builds patios, carports, garages and sheds, after 60 WA consumers lodged complaints claiming goods and services were not supplied, or the...

A construction company has been fined $600,000 over serious injuries suffered by two workers at a construction site on Rottnest Island. Firm Construction Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to the two workers, and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday. In February 2020, workers employed by...

It’s a familiar scenario for many shoppers – you’re about to pay for a new car or appliance, then the salesperson tries to ‘upsell’ you with an extended warranty for things that may go wrong after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. As the end of financial year sales roll around, we want consumers to seriously question whether buying this type of insurance policy means paying for rights they...

On 16 June 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission increased the state minimum wage and all pay rates in WA awards effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2023. The state minimum wage for adult employees (21 and over) has increased by 5.3% or $43.50 per week to $863.40 per week. WA award rates of pay have increased by 5.3%. Junior rates and rates for...

Wageline now has available the 1 July 2023 versions of its WA award summaries which include the new rates of pay that will apply from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2023, and has published the new state minimum rates of pay for award free employees. Visit www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/awardsummaries for the July 2023 award summaries Visit www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/minimumpayrates for the new minimum...

Building and Energy is advising property owners affected by the liquidation of Flexible Homes Pty Ltd to contact their home indemnity insurance (HII) provider, QBE Insurance. The Perth building company appointed liquidators yesterday (27 June 2023). Building and Energy understands Flexible Homes was directly contracted for 19 building projects. Building and Energy Executive Director Saj...

Exposed wiring in lounge room energised at a lethal voltage Electrician completed and signed a checklist for the electrical work $3,500 fine and almost $1,200 costs after prosecution by Building and Energy A Joondalup magistrate has condemned the “egregious error” of an electrician who missed hazardous exposed wires while checking work at a Two Rocks home. At Joondalup Magistrates Court on 9 June...

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 28 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 28 cents per litre (...

Aussie Sheds Albany owner found guilty of breaching ACL $158,853 worth of deposits paid for incomplete shed and patio works 11 consumers to receive full compensation An Albany shed seller who took large deposits from consumers between January 2020 and 25 July 2020 and failed to deliver goods and services in a reasonable timeframe has been found guilty of breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL...